The 2018 Programme is currently being worked on and will appear here in June. Meantime the 2017 Programme follows to give browsers an idea of the events provided.
Largs Viking Festival 2017 Programme
This year the re-enactment group Swords of Dalriada will be in the Viking Village with Viking traders from Germany, Sweden and Ireland. Come and see how the Vikings lived in our extended living history 13th Century Viking Village. Entry fee of £5 Adults, £2 children, students and Concessions (over 60s) with Under 5s FREE gives admission throughout the day of purchase. The Village opens at 11 a.m. every day with last admission at 4.30 pm. Please note that the Village closes on the Opening Day, 2 September, from 12.30 to 1.45 pm to enable the Vikings to participate in the Opening Parade and as required to facilitate Viking Skirmishes.
School visits to the Village are welcomed and normally double up with a visit to Vikingar! the town’s all year round Viking experience. Please contact Vikingar! on 01475 689777 for further details.
PLEASE NOTE: For reasons of safety, the flying of drones in the vicinity of the Festival locations is strictly prohibited.
As well as our Viking Village there will also be:
A Scottish Food and Craft Fayre – Come and enjoy a shopping experience with a difference.
Owl Magic – with us every day, weather permitting. All the owls on show have been hand reared and are used to being handled.
Fun Fair – present on the Promenade Car Park throughout the Festival.
Largs Labyrinth – Situated behind St Columba’s Scottish Episcopal Church in Aubery Crescent, just a short walk to the North from the Festival Site. It offers a sacred space, the chance to take a mini-pilgrimage, and to gain a new perspective. “A maze is for losing yourself in, but a labyrinth is where you may find yourself”.
At weekends,there will be aerobatic displays, on-stage entertainment and a variety of street performers on the Promenade and at various locations in the town.
This year we welcome The Belfagan Women’s Morris Side comprising 24 dancers and musicians from the West Lakes area of Cumbria on 2/3 September and hope they enjoy their time with us.
The following events are FREE unless otherwise shown – all times are approximate:
Saturday, 2nd September
1.00 pm Opening parade from Morrisons to the Viking Village on the Esplanade
1.30 pm Opening Ceremony
1.45 pm Largs Boys Brigade Pipe Band
2.15 pm Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band
3.00 pm Starduster Too Aerobatic Display (weather permitting)
We regret that this display has been cancelled due to problems with the aircraft which the pilot, Jim McTaggart, advises cannot be resolved in time. In its place we are pleased to have booked a performance by The Triple Aspect Puppet Company which we hope our younger visitors will enjoy.
3.30 pm Star Dance Academy with Dance Workshop for young people
4.00 pm Samba Sisters with Workshop
4.30 pm Family Ceilidh
Sunday 3rd September
1.00 pm Children’s Circus Skills in the Arena presented by Ringmaster Parties.
2.00 pm St John’s Scottish Country Dancing: Enquiries to 01475 686947.
2.30 pm Children’s Yoga Workshop: http://www.enterprisechildcare.co.uk
3.00 pm Clyde Coast Strathspey and Reel Society
4.00 pm Strathclyde University Jazz Orchestra
Thursday 7th September
8.00 pm Hakon Hakonsson Lecture. Organised by Largs & District Museum & Historical Society.
‘The people behind the runes: Scandinavians in the British Isles’ Prof Judith Jesch, BA, Ph.D Scandinavian Studies: Professor of Viking Studies, University of Nottingham
Valhalladrome, Viking Experience Theatre, Greenock Road, Largs. Admission by donation.
Saturday 9th September
12.30 pm Arkansas Ramblers
1.30 pm Reely Jiggered: Scottish folk rock band. Visit http://www.reelyjiggered.co.uk
2.30 pm Kennedy Cupcakes
We are delighted to welcome the return of the Cupcakes. Last year they were delighted to meet Duncan Currie, former Dambuster Squadron member, and members of the RBLS Largs Branch.
3.00 pm Starduster Too Aerobatic Display (weather permitting)
We regret that this display has been cancelled due to problems with the aircraft which the pilot, Jim McTaggart, advises cannot be resolved in time.
3.45 pm Reely Jiggered
8.00 – 9.15 pm Viking Festival of Fire with torchlit parade starting at the Viking Village at 8.00 pm for a skirmish, fire dancer, burning of Viking longboat and spectacular fireworks display at Broomfields.
Note: The parade route includes a hilly section that may not be suitable for adults in wheelchairs. This is due to a section of the Promenade being closed as part of the required safety zone for the fireworks display.
Sunday 10th September
1.00 pm Children’s Circus Skills in the Arena presented by Ringmaster Parties.
2.00 pm Les Gitanes: Gypsy Swing/Jazz Manouche
3.00 pm Red Devils Freefall Team (Weather permitting)
Please note that although the Display Team are highly qualified and capable, there is always the possibility of an unforeseen accident or incident. Spectators who watch the display do so at their own risk with regard to what they witness. No related spectator claims will be supported.
3.30 pm Les Gitanes: Gypsy Swing/Jazz Manouche
4.00 pm Largs Churches Together: Open Air Service of thanksgiving for the Festival.
FRINGE EVENTS BEING HELD BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Saturday 2 September
12 Noon- Duck Race from the Gogo Bridge run by Largs Rotary Club
Monday 4 September
2 – 4 pm Journal Writing Workshop, Café Bon Bon, 68 Gallowgate Street, Largs KA30 8LZ. Entry Free. Contact: carol@inspiredbusinessideas.com
